Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Elvis Presley's 30 #1 Hits released

A Retrospective: 1954-1977

Elvis Presley

30 #1 Hits was a chart-topping, multi-platinum compilation which confirmed Elvis’ appeal a quarter century after his passing. Of course, it wasn’t the first time his work had been anthologized. This page highlights just a few of the greatest-hits packages which offer an overview of Elvis’ career.


Compilations:

* Songs added to reissue.

This page focuses on the compilations above, covering Elvis Presley’s entire career from 1954 to 1977. For a more indepth look at his work in the ‘50s, check out the Elvis Presley Retrospective: 1953-1959 page for a full career overview. There are also links to other Elvis’ pages at the bottom of this page.

Songs featured on any of these compilations are noted with the codes above. Appearing after song titles are the songwriters in italicized parentheses, running times in brackets, and when relevant, the date the song was released as a single and its peaks on various charts. Click for codes to singles charts.

Golden Records

Elvis Presley


Released: March 21, 1958


Recorded: 1956-1958


Peak: 3 US, 2 UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 6.0 US, 0.06 UK, 10.0 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: early rock and roll


Tracks: (1) Hound Dog (2) Loving You (3) All Shook Up (4) Heartbreak Hotel (5) Jailhouse Rock (6) Love Me (7) Too Much (8) Don’t Be Cruel (9) That’s When Your Heartache Begins (10) Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear (11) Love Me Tender (12) Treat Me Nice (13) Anyway You Want Me That’s How I Will Be (14) I Want You, I Need You, I Love You


Total Running Time: 32:03

Rating:

4.862 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)


Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About Golden Records:

“This was rock & roll’s first greatest-hits album, and it set the standard for all others to follow. As originally conceived, it was a 14-song collection of most of the King’s biggest hits up to that time, released on the eve of his start of military service – a dearth of material being in the offing, it seemed only logical to assemble these hits. Each of the 14 songs had earned a gold-record award for a million sales, a record unequaled at that time by anyone else in rock & roll. The album wasn’t intended as a history lesson, so Hound Dog and Loving You precede Heartbreak Hotel – the 1997 remastering also tampers with the concept a bit, adding six bonus tracks.” BE

“Elvis’ singing never sounded richer or more expressive, and one can fully appreciate in vivid detail the delicate nuances of his phrasing on songs like Too Much. On the downside, the remastering has made the sound so clean on some of the harder songs that some of the raw, ‘dirty’ ambience that characterized this stuff on the radio and the original 45s is lacking. Still, Scotty Moore’s groundbreaking lead guitar part on ‘Hound Dog’ and the Jordanaires’ backup singing never came through more sharply or cleanly, and the all-important rhythm section is almost up front in the mix.” BE

“Those who own the first Elvis box from RCA, covering the ‘50s masters, may hesitate to pick up this or the other parts of this latest remastered series, but the sound has been upgraded one more level, and Golden Hits does give a bite-sized glimpse of where Elvis had come from and where he was going (for better or worse) musically on the eve of heading into the Army.” BE


1954-1957 Tracks:

  • That’s All Right (Arthur Crudup) [1:55] (recorded 7/5/54, released 7/19/54, 3 UK, sales: ½ million) G1*, AC, 2N
  • Good Rockin’ Tonight (Roy Brown) [2:14] (recorded 9/10/54, released 9/25/54) AC
  • Baby Let’s Play House (Arthur Gunter) [2:17] (recorded 2/5/55, released 4/10/55, 5 US) G1*, AC
  • I Forgot to Remember to Forget (Stan Kesler, Charlie Feathers) (recorded 7/21/55, released 9/17/55, 1 CW) 2N
  • Mystery Train (Herman Parker Jr., Sam Phillips) [2:24] (recorded 7/11/55, released 8/6/55, 25 UK, 11 CW) G1*, AC
  • Trying to Get to You (Rose Marie McCoy, Charles Singleton) [2:32] (recorded 7/21/55, 9/8/56, 16 UK) AC
  • Heartbreak Hotel (Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley) [2:08] (recorded 1/10/56, released 1/27/56, 1 US, 2 UK, 3 RB, 1 CW, sales: 2 million, airplay: 2 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • I Was the One (Hal Blair, Claude Demetrius, Bill Peppers, Aaron Schroeder) [2:34] (recorded 1/11/56, released 1/27/56, 19 US, 8 CW) G1*
  • Blue Suede Shoes (Perkins) [1:59] (recorded 1/30/56, released 4/7/56, 20 US, 39 UK, sales: ½ million) G1*, AC, 2N
  • I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Kosloff/ Mysels) [2:40] (recorded 4/14/56, released 5/12/56, 1 US, 14 UK, 3 RB, 1 CW, sales: 1 million) G1, TT, 2N
  • My Baby Left Me (Arthur Crudup) [2:11] (recorded 1/30/56, released 5/4/56, 31 US, 19 UK, 13 CW) G1*, AC
  • Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Lloyd Price) [2:08] (recorded 2/3/56, released 11/8/57, 15 UK) AC
  • Hound Dog (Leiber/ Stoller) [2:15] (recorded 7/2/56, released 7/13/56, 1 US, 2 UK, 1 RB, sales: 4 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • Don’t Be Cruel (Blackwell/ Presley) [2:03] (recorded 7/2/56, released 7/13/56, 1 US, 24 UK, 1 RB, 1 CW, sales: 4 million, airplay: 4 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • Paralyzed (Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley) [2:24] (recorded 9/2/56, released 10/19/56, 59 US, 8 UK) G2*
  • Love Me Tender (Maston/ Presley) [2:42] (recorded 8/24/56, released 9/28/56, 1 US, 11 UK, 3 RB, 3 CW, sales: 3 million, airplay: 3 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • Any Way You Want Me That’s How I Will Be (Cliff Owens, Aaron Schroeder) [2:16] (recorded 7/2/56, released 9/28/56, 20 US, 12 RB) G1, AC
  • Love Me (Leiber/ Stoller) [2:44] (recorded 9/1/56, released 10/19/56, 2 US, 7 RB, 10 CW) G1, TT, AC, 2N
  • Anyplace is Paradise (Joe Thomas) [2:26] (recorded 9/2/56) AC
  • Too Much (1/4/57, 1 US, 6 UK, 3 CW, 3 RB, sales: 2 million) G1, TT, 30
  • Playing for Keeps (1/4/57, 21 US) G2*
  • There’ll Be Peace in the Valley for Me (4/1/57, 25 US) G2
  • All Shook Up (4/6/57, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 CW, 1 RB, sales: 7 million, airplay: 2 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • That’s When Your Heartache Begins (Fred Fisher, Billy Hill, William Raskin) [3:21] (recorded 1/13/57, released 3/22/57, 58 US) G1
  • Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear (Bernie Lowe, Kal Mann) [1:47] (recorded 1/24/57, released 6/11/57, 1 US, 3 UK, 1 CW, 1 RB, sales: 5 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • Loving You (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:15] (recorded 2/24/57, released 6/11/57, 20 US, 24 UK, 15 CW) G1, 2N

Golden Records Vol. 2: 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong

Elvis Presley


Released: November 13, 1959


Recorded: 1957-1959


Peak: 31 US, 4 UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: early rock and roll


Tracks: (1) I Need Your Love Tonight (2) Don’t (3) Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (4) My Wish Came True (5) I Got Stung (6) One Night (7) A Big Hunk O’ Love (8) I Beg of You (9) Now and Then There’s a Fool Such As I (10) Doncha’ Think It’s Time


Total Running Time: 22:00

Rating:

4.159 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

About Golden Records 2:

The initial release of Elvis’ second greatest-hits collection, Gold Records, Volume 2 (also known as 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong), featured singles released in 1958 and 1959, dating back to recording sessions from 1957. A reissue of the album added bonus tracks dating back to 1956.

Among the songs were the #1 hits Don’t, Hard Headed Woman, and Big Hunk O’ Love and the top ten hits I Beg of You, Wear My Ring Around Your Neck, I Got Stung, One Night, I Need Your Love Tonight and Now and Then There’s a Fool Such As I.


1957-1959 Tracks:

  • Mean Woman Blues (Claude Demetrius) [2:11] (recorded 1/13/57) G2*, 2N
  • Party (Jessie Mae Robinson) [1:28] (recorded 1/21/57, released 4/57) G2*
  • Got a Lot O’ Livin’ to Do (Schroeder/ Weisman) [2:33] (recorded 1/12/57, charted 7/1/57, 17 UK) G2*, AC
  • Jailhouse Rock (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:27] (recorded 4/30/57, released 9/24/57, 1 US, 1 UK, 1 CW, 1 RB, sales: 9 million) G1, TT, AC, 30
  • Treat Me Nice (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:10] (recorded 9/5/57, released 9/24/57, 18 US, 7 RB, 11 CW) G1, AC, 2N
  • You’re So Square Baby I Don’t Care (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [1:51] (recorded 4/30/57, released 10/57) AC
  • Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me (Aaron Schroeder, Claude Demetrius) [1:54] (recorded 9/7/57, released 10/15/57, 7 UK) G2*
  • Santa Claus Is Back in Town (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:22] (recorded 9/7/57, released 10/15/57, 41 UK) G2*, AC
  • Don’t (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:48] (recorded 9/6/57, released 1/7/58, 1 US, 2 UK, 2 CW, 4 RB, sales: 2 million) G2, TT, AC, 30
  • I Beg of You (Rose Marie McCoy, Cliff Owens) [1:50] (recorded 2/23/57, released 1/7/58, 8 US, 4 CW, 5 RB) G2, TT
  • Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Bert Carroll, Moody Russell) [2:13] (recorded 2/1/58, released 4/1/58, 2 US, 3 UK, 3 CW, 1 RB, sales: 2 million) G2, TT, AC, 2N
  • Doncha’ Think It’s Time (Luther Dixon, Clyde Otis) [1:54] (recorded 2/1/58, released 4/1/58, 15 US, 10 RB) G2
  • Hard Headed Woman (Claude Demetrius) [1:53] (recorded 1/15/58, released 6/10/58, 1 US, 2 UK, 2 RB, 2 CW, sales: 1 million) G2*, TT, AC, 30
  • Ain’t That Loving You Baby (Ivory Joe Hunter, Clyde Otis) [2:22] (recorded 6/10/58, released 9/22/64) G4
  • Trouble (Leiber/Stoller) [2:17] (recorded 1/15/58) AC, 2N
  • King Creole (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:06] (recorded 1/23/58, released 9/19/58, 2 UK) G2*, 2N
  • One Night (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman) [2:29] (recorded 2/23/57, released 10/21/58, 4 US, 1 UK, 24 CW, 10 RB, sales: 2 million) G2, TT, AC, 30
  • I Got Stung (David Hill, Aaron Schroeder) [1:49] (recorded 6/11/58, released 10/21/58, 8 US, 1 UK) G2, TT, 2N
  • Now and Then There’s a Fool Such As I (Bill Trader) [2:36] (recorded 6/10/58, released 3/10/59, 2 US, 1 UK, 16 RB, sales: 5 million) G2, TT, AC, 30
  • I Need Your Love Tonight (Bix Reichner, Sid Wayne) [2:04] (recorded 6/10/58, released 3/10/59, 4 US) G2, TT, 2N
  • A Big Hunk O’ Love (Aaron Schroeder, Sidney Wyche) [2:12] (recorded 6/10/58, released 6/23/59, 1 US, 4 UK, 10 RB, sales: 1 million) G2, TT, AC, 30
  • My Wish Came True (Ivory Joe Hunter) [2:33] (recorded 9/6/57, released 6/23/59, 12 US, 15 RB) G2

Golden Records Vol. 3

Elvis Presley


Released: August 11, 1963


Recorded: 1960-1962


Peak: 3 US, 6 UK, 79 CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: early rock and roll


Tracks: (1) It’s Now or Never (2) Stuck on You (3) Fame and Fortune (4) I Gotta Know (5) Surrender (6) I Feel So Bad (7) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (8) Marie’s the Name His Latest Flame (9) Little Sister (10) Good Luck Charm (11) Anything That’s Part of You (12) She’s Not You


Total Running Time: 29:42

Rating:

4.474 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

About Golden Records 3:

Elvis’ third Golden Records collection compiled singles from 1960 to 1962 – eight A-sides and four B-sides. Five of the singles went to #1: Stuck on You, It’s Now or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Surrender, and Good Luck Charm. WK3

“It’s Now or Never” was adapted from “the 1898 Neapolitan song ‘O Sole Mio,’ and ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight,’ a ballad from 1926, had been a rare request from [Elvis’ manager, Tom] Parker to Presley for Parker’s wife.” WK


1960-1962 Tracks:

  • Stuck on You (Aaron Schroeder, S. Leslie McFarland) [2:18] (recorded 3/20/60, released 3/23/60, 1 US, 3 UK, 27 CW, 6 RB, sales: 2 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • Fame and Fortune (Fred Wise, Ben Weisman) [2:30] (recorded 3/20/60, released 3/23/60, 17 US) G3
  • The Girl of My Best Friend (Beverly Ross, Sam Bobrick) [2:21] (recorded 4/3/60, released on album: 4/8/60, single: 9/4/76, 9 UK) G3*, AC
  • It’s Now or Never (Eduardo di Capua, Aaron Schroeder, Wally Gold) [3:15] (recorded 4/3/60, released 7/5/60, 1 US, 1 UK, 6 RB, sales: 22 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • A Mess of Blues (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) [2:39] (recorded 3/20/60, released 7/5/60, 32 US, 2 UK) G4, AC, 2N
  • Like a Baby AC
  • Such a Night AC
  • Reconsider Baby AC
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Lou Handman, Roy Turk) [3:05] (recorded 4/3/60, released 11/1/60, 1 US, 1 UK, 22 CW, 3 RB, sales: 9 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • I Gotta Know (Paul Evans, Matt Williams) [2:15] (recorded 4/3/60, released 11/1/60, 20 US) G3
  • Surrender (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) [1:52] (recorded 10/30/60, released 2/7/61, 1 US, 2 UK, sales: 6 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • Crying in the Chapel (Artie Glenn) [2:24] (recorded 10/31/60, released 4/6/65, 3 US, 2 UK, 1 AC, sales: 2 million, airplay: 2 million) G4*, TT, 30
  • Lonely Man (Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus) [2:43] (recorded 11/7/60, released 2/7/61, 32 US) G4
  • Wooden Heart (George Wise, Weisman) [2:02] (recorded 4/28/60, released 3/11/61, 2 UK, 5 million) G3*, 30
  • I Feel So Bad (Chuck Willis) [2:54] (recorded 3/12/61, released 5/2/61, 5 US, 15 RB, 4 UK) G3, TT, 2N
  • Wild in the Country (George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore) [1:52] (recorded 11/7/60, released 5/2/61, 26 US, 4 UK, sales: 1 million) G3*
  • Marie’s the Name of His Latest Flame (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) [2:08] (recorded 6/25/61, released 8/8/61, 4 US, 3 UK, 2 AC, sales: 1 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • Little Sister (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) [2:31] (recorded 6/25/61, released 8/8/61, 5 US, 1 UK) G3, TT, AC, 2N
  • Rock-A-Hula Baby (Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, Dolores Fuller) [1:57] (recorded 3/23/61, released 10/1/61, 23 US, 1 UK, sales: 0.8 million G4*, 2N
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love (George Weiss, Hugo Perett, Luigi Creatore) [2:59] (recorded 3/23/61, released 11/22/61, 2 US, 1 AC, sales: 2 million) G3*, TT, AC, 30
  • That’s Someone You Never Forget AC
  • Good Luck Charm (Aaron Schroeder, Wally Gold) [2:24] (recorded 10/15/61, released 2/27/62, 1 US, 2 UK, sales: 5 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • Anything That's Part of You (Don Robertson) [2:05] (recorded 10/15/61, released 2/27/62, 31 US, 6 AC) G3, AC
  • Follow That Dream (George Wise, Ben Weisman) [1:37] (recorded 7/2/61, released 4/1/62, 15 US, 5 AC, sales: 2 million) G3*
  • She’s Not You (Doc Pomus, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:08] (recorded 3/19/62, released 7/17/62, 5 US, 3 UK, 2 AC, 13 RB, sales: 1 million) G3, TT, AC, 30
  • Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [1:52] (recorded 3/19/62, released 7/17/62, 55 US, 14 AC) G4
  • King of the Whole Wide World (Ruth Batchelor, Bob Roberts) [2:06] (recorded 10/27/61, released 9/22/62, 30 US) G3*

Golden Records Vol. 4

Elvis Presley


Released: January 2, 1968


Recorded: 1960-1967


Peak: 33 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: early rock and roll


Tracks: (1) Love Letters (2) Witchcraft (3) It Hurts Me (4) What’d I Say (5) Please Don’t Drag That String Around (6) Indescribably Blue (7) You’re the Devil in Disguise (8) Lonely Man (9) A Mess of Blues (10) Ask Me (11) Ain’t That Loving You Baby (12) Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello


Total Running Time: 29:03

Rating:

4.043 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

About Golden Records 4:

The fourth album in the Golden Records series came five years after its predecessor. Sales has cooled for Elvis and his singles were no longer automatic top 40 hits. Ten of the twelve cuts on this collection did go top 40, but only one song (You’re the Devil in Disguise) reached the top ten.

Three of the B-sides (Lonely Man, A Mess of Blues, Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello) were old enough that they could have been on the previous Golden Records album and Ain’t That Loving You Baby, another B-side, was recorded back in 1958. WK4


1962-1967 Tracks:

  • Return to Sender (Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott) [2:06] (recorded 3/27/62, released 10/2/62, 2 US, 5 UK, 5 RB, sales: 5 million) G4*, TT, AC, 30
  • You’re the Devil in Disguise (Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, Florence Kaye) [2:20] (recorded 5/26/63, released 6/18/63, 3 US, 2 UK, 9 RB, sales: 1 million) G4, TT, AC, 30
  • Memphis, Tennessee AC
  • Please Don’t Drag That String Around (Otis Blackwell, Winfield Scott) [1:54] (recorded 5/26/63, released 6/18/63, --) G4
  • Bossa Nova Baby (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) [2:02] (recorded 1/22/63, released 10/1/63, 8 US, 20 RB, 13 UK, sales: 1 million) G4*, TT, 2N
  • Witchcraft (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King) [2:19] (recorded 5/26/63, released 10/1/63, 32 US) G4
  • Kissin’ Cousins (Fred Wise, Randy Starr) [2:12] (recorded 9/30/63, released 2/10/64, 12 US, 10 UK) G4*
  • It Hurts Me (Joy Byers, Charlie Daniels) [2:27] (recorded 1/12/64, released 2/10/64, 29 US) G4, AC
  • Down in the Alley AC
  • Run On AC
  • Tomorrow Is a Long Time AC
  • Viva Las Vegas (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) [2:21] (recorded 7/10/63, released 3/12/64, 29 US, 15 UK, sales: 1 million) G4*, 2N
  • What’d I Say (Ray Charles) [3:02] (recorded 8/30/63, released 4/28/64, 21 US) G4
  • Ask Me (Domenico Modugno, Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, Florence Kaye) [2:07] (recorded 1/12/64, released 9/22/64, 12 US) G4
  • I’m a Roustabout (Otis Blackwell) [2:11] 2N
  • Love Letters (Edward Heyman, Victor Young) [2:30] (recorded 5/26/66, released 6/8/66, 19 US, 6 UK, 38 AC) G4
  • Indescribably Blue (Darrell Glenn) [2:48] (recorded 6/10/66, released 1/10/67, 33 US) G4


Notes: The 1997 reissued added “Return to Sender,” “Rock-A-Hula Baby,” “Bossa Nova Baby,” “Kissin’ Cousins,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Crying in the Chapel.”

Golden Records Vol. 5

Elvis Presley


Released: March 1984


Recorded: 1968-1977


Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK)


Genre: rock and roll


Tracks: (1) Suspicious Minds (2) Kentucky Rain (3) In the Ghetto (4) Clean Up Your Own Backyard (5) If I Can Dream (6) Burning Love (7) If You Talk in Your Sleep (8) For the Heart (9) Moody Blue (10) Way Down


Total Running Time: 30:08

Rating:

3.754 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

About Golden Records 5:

The fifth and final entry in the Golden Records series came in 1984, seven years after Elvis’ death. The collection, which tapped material from the last decade of his career, included nine top 40 hits and a B-side.

“The first half of the album focused on Elvis’ late 1960s comeback-era recordings: If I Can Dream was taken from his comeback special, three singles from the American studios sessions Suspicious Minds, Kentucky Rain, and In the Ghetto.” WK5 Clean Up Your Own Backyard was a soundtrack recording from The Trouble with Girls.

“The second half of the records focused on Elvis’ late period singles including Burning Love and Moody Blue. RCA did not base the selection solely on commercial factors, as they omitted two top ten hit singles from this time period, ‘Don't Cry Daddy’ from 1969 and ‘The Wonder of You’ from 1970.


1967-1977 Tracks:

  • Big Boss Man (Luther Dixon, Al Smith) [2:50] (recorded 9/10/67, released 9/26/67, 38 US) G5*, AC
  • Guitar Man (Jerry Reed) [2:12] (recorded 9/10/67, released 1/9/68, 28 US, 19 UK, 16 AC, 1 CW, airplay: 1 million) G5*, AC
  • Tiger Man AC
  • U.S. Male (Jerry Reed) [2:42] (recorded 1/16/68, released 2/28/68, 28 US, 15 UK, 55 CW) G5*
  • If I Can Dream (Walter Earl Brown) [3:11] (recorded 6/23/68, released 11/5/68, 12 US, 11 UK, sales: 1 million) G5, AC, 2N
  • Edge of Reality (Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, Florence Kaye) [3:33] (recorded 3/7/68, released 11/5/68, --) G5*
  • Memories (Billy Strange, Mac Davis) [3:03] (recorded 6/23/68, released 2/25/69, 35 US, 7 AC, 56 CW) G5*, 2N
  • In the Ghetto (Mac Davis) [2:45] (recorded 1/20/69, released 4/14/69, 3 US, 2 UK, 8 AC, 60 CW, sales: 2 million, airplay: 2 million) G5, TT, AC, 30
  • Clean Up Your Own Backyard (Billy Strange, Mac Davis) [3:07] (recorded 10/23/68, released 6/17/69, 35 US, 21 UK, 37 AC, 74 CW, sales: 1 million) G5
  • Suspicious Minds (Mark James) [3:28] (recorded 1/22/69, released 8/26/69, 1 US, 2 UK, 4 AC, sales: 7 million, airplay: 5 million) G5, TT, AC, 30
  • Don’t Cry Daddy (11/5/69, 6 US, 8 UK, 3 AC, 13 CW, sales: 2 million) TT, AC, 2N
  • I’ll Hold You in My Heart Till I Can Hold You in My Arms AC
  • Stranger in My Own Home Town AC
  • After Loving You AC
  • Only the Strong Survive AC
  • Kentucky Rain (Eddie Rabbitt, Dick Heard) [3:14] (recorded 2/19/69, released 1/29/70, 16 US, 21 UK, 3 AC, 31 CW, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million) G5, 2N
  • The Wonder of You (5/16/70, 9 US, 4 UK, 1 AC, 37 CW, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million) TT, AC, 30
  • Polk Salad Annie AC
  • I’ve Lost You AC
  • You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me (Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell, Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini) [2:30] (recorded 6/6/70, released 10/6/70, 11 US, 9 UK, 1 AC, 56 CW, sales: 1 million) G5*, AC, 2N
  • I Just Can’t Help Believin’ AC
  • Merry Christmas, Baby AC
  • I’m Leavin’ AC
  • An American Trilogy (5/6/72, 66 US, 8 UK, 31 AC) AC, 2N
  • Burning Love (Dennis Linde) [2:50] (recorded 3/28/72, released 8/1/72, 2 US, 7 UK, sales: 2 million, airplay: 2 million) G5, TT, AC, 30
  • Always on My Mind (12/2/72, 9 UK, 16 CW, sales: 1 million) AC, 2N
  • If You Talk in Your Sleep (Red West, Johnny Christopher) [2:34] (recorded 12/11/73, released 5/10/74, 17 US, 40 UK, 6 AC) G5
  • Promised Land (10/19/74, 14 US, 9 UK) AC, 2N
  • For the Heart (Dennis Linde) [3:22] (recorded 2/5/76, released 3/12/76, 45 CW) G5, AC
  • Moody Blue (Mark James) [3:22] (recorded 2/4/76, released 11/29/76, 31 US, 6 UK, 2 AC, 1 CW) G5, 2N
  • Way Down (Layng Martine Jr.) [2:38] (recorded 10/29/76, released 6/6/77, 18 US, 1 UK, 14 AC, 1 CW, sales: 5 million) G5, 30


Notes: The 1997 CD reissue added “Big Boss Man,” “Guitar Man,” U.S. Male,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “Edge of Reality,” and “Memories.”

The Top Ten Hits

Elvis Presley


Released: August 1987


Recorded: 1956-1972


Peak: 117 US, 4 UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, 0.1 UK, 4.1 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: rock and roll


Disc 1: (1) Heartbreak Hotel (2) I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (3) Hound Dog (4) Don’t Be Cruel (5) Love Me Tender (6) Love Me (7) Too Much (8) All Shook Up (9) Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear (10) Jailhouse Rock (11) Don’t (12) I Beg of You (13) Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (14) Hard Headed Woman (15) One Night (16) I Got Stung (17) Now and Then There’s a Fool Such As I (18) I Need Your Love Tonight (19) A Big Hunk O’ Love

Disc 2: (1) Stuck on You (2) It’s Now Or Never (3) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (4) Surrender (5) I Feel So Bad (6) Little Sister (7) Marie’s the Name His Latest Flame (8) Can’t Help Falling in Love with You (9) Good Luck Charm (10 She’s Not You (11) Return to Sender (12) You’re the Devil in Disguise (13) Bossa Nova Baby (14) Crying in the Chapel (15) In the Ghetto (16) Suspicious Minds (17) Don’t Cry Daddy (18) The Wonder of You (19) Burning Love

Rating:

4.550 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

About The Top Ten Hits:

All 38 of Elvis’ top ten hits from his career are gathered here on this two-disc collection. This retrospective walks the listener through from 1956’s Heartbreak Hotel to 1972’s Burning Love. These songs “are absolutely first-rate – there’s no arguing with I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, Don’t Be Cruel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, …All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock, …Can’t Help Falling in Love, …Return to Sender, Suspicious Minds, and many, many others. It’s the perfect way to start an Elvis collection and, for many casual fans, the only set to own.” ET

Even so, “there’s a huge amount of terrific material that isn't included on the compilation. There’s none of his Sun recordings, none of his gritty blues, none of his gospel, precious little of his country recordings, and many great singles for RCA aren’t included.” ET

Artist of the Century

Elvis Presley


Released: July 13, 1999


Recorded: 1954-1977


Peak: 163 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU


Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: rock and roll


Disc 1: 1. That’s All Right 2. Good Rockin’ Tonight 3. Baby Let’s Play House 4. Mystery Train 5. Trying to Get to You 6. Heartbreak Hotel 7. Blue Suede Shoes 8. My Baby Left Me 9. Lawdy Miss Clawdy 10. Hound Dog 11. Any Way You Want Me That's How I Will Be 12. Don’t Be Cruel 13. Love Me Tender 14. Love Me 15. Anyplace Is Paradise 16. All Shook Up 17.Got a Lot O’ Livin’ to Do 18. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 19. One Night 20. Jailhouse Rock 21. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care 22. Treat Me Nice 23. Don’t 24. Santa Claus Is Back in Town 25. Trouble 26. Hard Headed Woman 27. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 28. A Big Hunk O’ Love 29. (Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such As I

Disc 2: 1. Stuck on You 2. It’s Now Or Never 3. Are You Lonesome Tonight? 4. A Mess of Blues 5. Like a Baby 6. The Girl of My Best Friend 7. Such a Night 8. Reconsider Baby 9. Surrender 10. Can’t Help Falling in Love 11. That’s Someone You Never Forget 12. Little Sister 13. (Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame 14. Anything That’s Part of You 15. Good Luck Charm 16. She’s Not You 17. Return to Sender 18. (You’re the Devil in Disguise 19. Memphis, Tennessee 20. It Hurts Me 21. Down in the Alley 22. Run On 23. Tomorrow Is a Long Time 24. Big Boss Man 25. Guitar Man 26. Tiger Man

Disc 3: 1. If I Can Dream 2. In the Ghetto 3. Suspicious Minds 4. Don’t Cry Daddy 5. I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) 6. Stranger in My Own Home Town 7. After Loving You 8. Only the Strong Survive 9. The Wonder of You 10. Polk Salad Annie 11. I’ve Lost You 12. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me 13. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 14. Merry Christmas, Baby 15. I’m Leavin’ 16. An American Trilogy 17. Burning Love 18. Always on My Mind 19. Promised Land 20. For the Heart

Rating:

4.501 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)


Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About Artist of the Century:

This is a complete career overview from 1954 to 1977. Not a bad way to go if you want to dig deeper than a single disc anthology, but don’t plan to start delving into individual albums.

30 #1 Hits

Elvis Presley


Released: September 24, 2002


Recorded: 1956-1977


Peak: 13 US, 13 CW, 12 UK, 15 CN, 14 AU


Sales (in millions): 6.0 US, 1.86 UK, 12.88 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: rock and roll


Tracks: (1) Heartbreak Hotel (2) Don’t Be Cruel (3) Hound Dog (4) Love Me Tender (5) Too Much (6) All Shook Up (7) Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear (8) Jailhouse Rock (9) Don’t (10) Hard Headed Woman (11) One Night (12) Now and Then There’s a Fool Such As I (13) A Big Hunk O’ Love (14) Stuck on You (15) It’s Now Or Never (16) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (17) Wooden Heart (18) Surrender (19) Marie’s the Name His Latest Flame (20) Can’t Help Falling in Love (21) Good Luck Charm (22) She’s Not You (23) Return to Sender (24) You’re the Devil in Disguise (25) Crying in the Chapel (26) In the Ghetto (27) Suspicious Minds (28) The Wonder of You (29) Burning Love (30 Way Down (31) A Little Less Conversation (JXL remix)


Total Running Time: 79:34

Rating:

4.739 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)


Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About 30 #1 Hits:

“RCA and the Elvis estate made no bones about their intention on replicating the blockbuster success of the Beatles’ The Beatles 1 with their own single-disc collection of number one hits — hence, the 2002 release of Elvis: 30 #1 Hits. The idea of collecting all the number one hits is simple enough, but there are problems inherent with the concept, not the least of which is that RCA did this once before. Unlike the Beatles, who went through numerous changes in just seven years of recording, Elvis had nearly three times as many years’ worth of material and hits to choose from. Also, he hit on a number of different charts – not just pop, but also R&B, country, and adult contemporary. Furthermore, where almost all of the Beatles’ number one hits sampled at least part of their music, there are significant chunks of Elvis' best material – including the visionary sides for Sun – that didn’t hit the top of the charts.” E30

“All of this makes assembling a similar comprehensive sampler of Elvis’ biggest hits much more difficult, and it doesn’t help that RCA has decided not to have a rigid aesthetic and sample from different charts all over the world, resulting in a collection that feels more of a patchwork than it should, even if the bulk of the material is from the early ‘60s; at least five songs feel like they should have been replaced with better, and better-known, sides.” E30

“It's no great surprise that the second half of this chronologically ordered collection sags in direct proportion to the Big E’s waistline. Still, given that most of his RCA albums had valleys of filler that would shame anyone but Colonel Parker, this is the best way to hear Elvis the Superstar. Hound Dog, All Shook Up, Are You Lonesome Tonight and the ever zany Suspicious Minds still sound fresh and immediate – impressive given how many times most the world has heard them – and show off the diversity of Elvis’ singing, from the purity of his gospel falsetto to his rock and roll purr.” TL

“Even if much of this material is exceedingly familiar, there also feels like there is a lot missing because, frankly, there is. No Sun singles and very little from his classic 1968 comeback or early-‘70s hits like ‘Moody Blue,’ not to mention sides that would showcase Elvis ‘the rocker’ better than what’s here, which plays closer to Elvis the ‘60s pop crooner than anything else. And, let’s face it, no matter what the packaging is, Elvis: 30 #1 Hits can’t feel that new because of the veritable flood of Elvis collections RCA has issued since the King started having hits. This is a very good compilation, covering many of the basics, but it’s hardly close to the only Elvis disc you’ll ever need, and it's not even that great of a starting place, since it lacks so much of his best material.” E30

“Also, even though this is one of the most carefully considered compilations of Elvis hits, it can’t help but feel a little shoddy since there’s actually 31 number one hits here, with the addition of the JXL remix of A Little Less Conversation tacked onto the end, no matter how good the single is.” E30


Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • A Little Less Conversation (JXL remix) (Mac Davis, Billy Strange) [3:33] (7/13/02, 50 US, 1 UK, sales: ½ million) 30

2nd to None

Elvis Presley


Released: October 7, 2003


Recorded: 1954-1976


Peak: 3 US, 4 UK, 3 CN, 4 AU


Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.1 UK, 1.26 world (includes US and UK)


Genre: rock and roll


Tracks: (1) That’s All Right (2) I Forgot to Remember to Forget (3) Blue Suede Shoes (4) I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (5) Love Me (6) Mean Woman Blues (7) Loving You (8) Treat Me Nice (9) Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (10) King Creole (11) Trouble (12) I Got Stung (13) I Need Your Love Tonight (14) A Mess of Blues (15) I Feel So Bad (16) Little Sister (17) Rock-A-Hula Baby (18) Bossa Nova Baby (19) Viva Las Vegas (20 If I Can Dream (21) Memories (22) Don’t Cry Daddy (23) Kentucky Rain (24) You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me (25) An American Trilogy (26) Always on My Mind (27) Promised Land (28) Moody Blue (29) I’m a Roustabout (30) Rubberneckin’ (remix)


Total Running Time: 78:39

Rating:

4.262 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

About 2nd to None:

They say all good things come to an end; apparently no one notified the compilers of Elvis collections – they just keep coming and coming. This album was considered the “follow-up” to the hugely successful single-disc greatest hits 30 #1 Hits released the year before. This collection is obviously not as strong as that one and isn’t really the next place to go if you were introduced to Elvis by the 30 #1 Hits package. You’d be better off turning to his ‘50s material like The Sun Collection or Elvis’ official debut album, simply called Elvis Presley. If you really are hooked, go straight to the box set The King of Rock and Roll: The Complete ‘50s Masters.


Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Rubberneckin’ (remix) Dory Jones, Bunny Warren) [3:29] (9/27/03, 94 US, 5 UK) 2N


Resources and Related Links:


First posted 4/2/2008; last updated 8/8/21.

Friday, September 13, 2002

50 years ago: Jo Stafford's “You Belong to Me” hit #1 for first of 12 weeks

You Belong to Me

Jo Stafford

Writer(s): Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, Redd Stewart (see lyrics here)


First Charted: August 9, 1952


Peak: 112 US, 19 HP, 14 CB, 11 UK, 16 AU (Click for codes to singles charts.)


Sales (in millions): 2.0 US


Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 6.3 video, 15.49 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Miss Chilton Price was a songwriting librarian at WAVE Radio in Louisville. She wrote a handful of songs and showed them to Pee Wee King, who had composed “Tennessee Waltz.” One of the songs, “Hurry Home to Me,” was as “an American woman’s plea to a sweetheart serving overseas in World War II.” WK After showing it to King and Redd Stewart, who provided vocals for King’s Golden West Cowboys, the setting of the song was retitled “You Belong to Me” and the setting was changed. WK

The once-wartime-themed song became more universal. The lyrics shared a story of the singer saying to a loved one, you “may travel all around the world and see many of the most famous sights,” TY but you belong to me. Price has said they had no part in writing the song, although Stewart’s son claims otherwise. SF It seems likely that King and Stewart tweaked the composition slightly, but mostly received songwriting credits for their work in publicizing the song. WK They’d provided a similar role for “Slow Poke,” a #1 song from 1951.

Sue Thompson recorded a version of the song, as did Patti Page as the B-side of her #1 hit “I Went to Your Wedding.” The song was also recorded by Jo Stafford, who’d had more than twenty top-ten hits in less than a decade, including the #1 song “Candy” in 1945. PM However, “You Belong to Me” became the biggest hit of 1952 WHC and of her career. PM

It also topped the U.K. chart, the first for a female singer there. SF Gene Vincent had a rock version with it in 1958 and the Duprees brought a doo-wop version back into the top 10 in 1962. Versions also appeared in the TV series Ally McBeal and in the movies Shrek (2001), Mona Lisa Smile (2003), and Grindhouse (2007). WK


Resources:

  • JA David A. Jasen. (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 221.
  • SB Songbook1.wordpress.com
  • SF Songfacts.com
  • TY Don Tyler (1985). Hit Parade 1920-1955. New York, NY: Quill. Page 152.
  • PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, WI; Record Research, Inc. Pages 405-7.
  • WHC Joel Whitburn (1999). A Century of Pop Music. Menomonee Falls, WI; Record Research, Inc. Page 73.
  • WK Wikipedia.org


Related Links:


First posted 8/9/2012; last updated 11/12/2022.